A goal for a better life

By Jomay Steen, Journal staff | Tuesday, October 30, 2007

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Last week, Heather Kickery of Rapid City opted to skip her favorite deep-fried potato snacks smothered in cheese sauce for a side salad when she and her sister met for their weekly taco lunch.

Instead of downing her usual twin tacos, she tossed the crispy shells away and used the spicy meat to create her own version of a taco salad.

"I hope I can always make those good choices," she said.

As part of Black Hills Workshop and Training Center's Lose to Win contest, Kickery, 42, recently formed her eight-member weight-loss team, the Bod Squad, to take part in a seven-month program of weekly weigh-ins, teamwork, food and exercise planning and monthly challenges.

Kickery, a Workshop client, hopes her health-conscious approach will be a lifelong commitment to better eating habits that she will readily integrate into her daily routine. But for the Nov. 19 weigh-in, she knows she will need help.

Stepping into the shoes as motivational coach is Mark Wylie, one of the three top losers of NBC's "The Biggest Loser 3." Wylie, of Miami Beach, Fla., originally weighed in at 309 pounds on the reality TV series before achieving his winning weight of 179 pounds while at the Biggest Loser Ranch in California. His weight-loss commitment earned him not only years of improved health, but $25,000 in cash. What he learned at the ranch is something Wylie wants to share with America's obesity-prone public.

"Mark Wylie will send us monthly videos to congratulate us and keep us motivated," said organizer Barb Volker, a registered nurse and organizer.

In the program launch on Oct. 15, Kickery and 44 other people served by the Black Hills Workshop participated in presentations by Kim Deiz, a personal trainer from the Weight Room; Johnny Knutson, a Rapid City Central High School student who lost 150 pounds through diet and exercise; and Josh Usera, an instructor from Dynamic Martial Arts.

"It was huge," Volker said of the initial challenge and weigh-in.

The 21 teams have 189 participants to keep each other motivated. On each team, there are two people served by the Workshop, two members of the Workshop staff, two community members and two family members or friends.

Each team's total weight will be calculated to find the percentage of weight lost each month, as demonstrated on "The Biggest Loser." Wylie has agreed to make an appearance at the end of the program May 27-28, where he will take part in the final weigh-ins and present prizes.

"Nobody here gets voted off," Kickery added.

While losing weight is a goal, the challenges also are about changing sedentary lifestyles and attitudes about food, Volker said. "It doesn't matter how much weight they lose, as long as we can get everybody off of those couches," she said.

Kickery already has started a good exercise habit by using the stairs rather than riding the elevator to her apartment. She also walks or uses her bicycle to go to her job. On her days off, she goes to the YMCA for water aerobics.

But she has her share of obstacles, too.

As winter approaches, the shorter days of daylight will cut down on her walking schedule. It will be difficult for her to go to the swimming or fitness centers this winter because of a lack of transportation. Kickery also works doing the daily salad preparation at a fast-food restaurant, surrounded by tempting sandwiches, french fries and high-calorie pop.

"I'm trying to find activities to do besides thinking about food," she said.

Yet, she isn't alone in her quest for better health and a slimmer figure. Having teammates to support her, monthly weigh-ins and a daily food and exercise plan might be all Kickery needs to achieve her health goals.

"I'm going to change my life for the better," she said.

Contact Jomay Steen at 394-8418 or jomay.steen@rapidcityjournal.com

Follow along as team loses weight

The Black Hills Workshop's Lose to Win program has challenged 21 teams to improve their health, nutrition and exercise. Each month from now until May, the Rapid City Journal will check in with Heather Kickery as she continues on her quest for better health. We'll find out what worked for her, what didn't work and how to avoid tricky situations such as eating during the holidays and exercising in the winter. We plan to get testimonials and tips from other team members, as well.

On the third Monday of each month from now until May, 189 team members will weigh themselves to calculate the team's weight-loss percentage. The 45 people served by the Black Hills Workshop will have to overcome many obstacles in their daily lives to meet those challenges. Yet, they're willing to change.

The teams include Green, Motiv"ate"ers, Transformers, Chunky Monkeys, Pounds-A-Go-Go, Destroyers, The Figure 8, Extreme Make-Overs, Killer "Bs," Weight and See, Lard De Da's, Eight 2 Much, Belly Busters, Phatties-Yo, Connie to the Nines, The Love Handles, Diet Demons, Bod Squad, Phat Donkeys and Good-bye Caboose.

Lose to Win challenge weight strategies to get started

As part of the Lose to Win challenge at Black Hills Workshop, Pat McDowell, a nurse supervisor, offers some quick, easy strategies to keep people from indulging their food impulses. These tips are great starts for anyone starting a health-improvement challenge.

· Drink one glass of water before eating anything; it's important to keep well-hydrated.

· Sit down at the table while eating meals; avoid snacking on the couch.

· Begin each day by eating breakfast -- smoothies, fruits, cereals -- which will keep office pastries from tempting you.

· Exercise or walk daily; start with as little as five minutes and build that exercise time up to 15 to 30 minutes daily.

· Sleep for eight hours at night, or the body will be too tired to exercise or make good food choices.